While governments may struggle to negotiate this change individuals and local communities can make a big difference. It is very likely that in the future our community will need to be much more self-reliant in food production water supply energy employment health and recreation. Many of the resources and facilities to achieve this are already in place and can be simply integrated into community life and awareness. When this is not so local initiatives like community gardens alternative energy projects car pooling or ‘buy local’ campaigns can all contribute to an Energy Descent Action Plan one of the primary goals of a Transition Town.
In this self-reliant integrated community of the future local needs will be satisfied much more than at present from local skills labour knowledge talent caring food production and finance. As well as reducing the demands on transport and other infrastructure the resulting web of interpersonal connections can provide great benefits to social well-being.